Lululemon Fun Run!

I can't believe Monday is already here. It's been a looooooooong day catching up (it's amazing how much work can pile up with just one day off - I can't imagine what my 6-week maternity leave is going to bring!...) and a run is quite needed.

Here's what I'm thinking for the Lulu Fun Run tonight (I've dubbed this the "park run" as we circle 5 parks):

• Union > gough
• Up to Sacramento > Right
• Sacramento > Steiner > Left
• Steiner > Jackson > Right
• Jackson > Scott > Right
• Scott > Broadway > Left
• Broadway > Lyon> Right
• Lyon > Marina Blvd > Right
• Marina Blvd > Webster > Right
• Webster > Bay > Right
• Bay > Laguna > Right
• Laguna > Union > Left

4.68 mi

If you're around, come on down!

The biggest liar

Recently, The Biggest Loser's Dane Patterson and The Biggest Loser the show, claimed Dane and his wife, Carli, finishing the Arizona Desert Classic Marathon in under four hours. The truth? Dane didn't think he'd make the cutoff time for the marathon so instead of running the entire thing just ran a portion of it.

My take? Anyone who even tries to do a marathon is incredible in my eyes - they're mentally and physically brutal and even an attempt is amazing. Lying on the other hand? Not cool. The problem is our country is getting so used to getting by on an "almost-truth" and now with entertainment/sports supporting this fallacy, Pinoccio-hood remains acceptable. I do understand Dane's dillema, don't get me wrong, but I think publicising something as amazing as finishing the race with his wife is too much. Audiences would be impressed that he a) tried it and b) completed a half (which in itself is huge).

Enough of my rant - you can read the full article around the marathon story at RW Daily.

p.s. I think my moral meter is on high with the boys in the oven - I definitely hope they're runners (I'm happy if they're not) but more than anything I hope for truth.

Money Saver Monday: Friends with Talent

Sticking with the beauty note today, I am so lucky to have friends with beautician talent. Courtney, a great friend and finance wizard, knows more than a thing or two about hair color. Instead of getting my $85 touch-up (or $48 Aveda school do), Courtney gifted me with an $11 touch-up - I bought the Clairol kit, she worked her magic. Grays be gone!

Money Saver Monday: Samples!

I'm a produce whore (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) - I love beauty and hair products. Need a nail polish? I have 8 pinks. Need some lotion? I have 6 - 3 types for full body, one for legs only, one with tanner, and one that I'm not quite sure what it does. After we found out I was pregnant, though, spending on product (among other things) was put to a halt.

Introducing - samples!

The other week when I went to visit my new-mom friend, she surprised me not only with fantastic baby stuff that her little boy grew out of, but beauty product samples. These were and are like gold to me! Although pregnancy is supposed to bring on a certain "glow" it also brings on a feeling of total ugliness - for me anyhow. It's weird seeing my body do things and change in ways I never imagined. My skin now has a mind of its own and will be dry one day and oily the next. I won't even go into hair - blech just about rounds it up. All in all, not feeling so beautiful. Beauty samples, though, are like a bunch of mini facials with products I can't afford. In a word - fantastic.

Samples are also great for:

• Travel - I got through Vail with these
• Gift bags - Lisa was an AMAZING host this weekend and put gift bags on all of our beds filled with sample creams for the weather and other goodies
• Saving space - in our tiny bathroom full size doesn't cut it anymore
  

To do: Snow-shoe!

I love anything outdoors - especially anything where I can sweat and somehow wind up covered in mud/dirt/or snow. While in Vail, I added a new "sport" to my favorites list - snow-shoeing! On Saturday the girls and I made our way up the mountain for a great workout, hike/snow-shoe, time.

The gear:









Strapped in:










On the mountain:









An added benefit? You can burn up to 1,000 calories/hour says eSnowshoes.com while snow-shoeing!

Weekend Roundup: Vail!

This weekend Jamie, Courtney jetted off to Vail for a girls weekend with Lisa. I have to say, I miss girls weekends - this was perfect!

At the airport crispy from the week - SO ready to go:









Checking out downtown Vail:









Vailians - so funny:









Ritz Carlton for drinks (I had decaf coffee):









Sleigh ride to an AMAZING dinner at Zach's Cabin:

To do: Get moving!

I just got back from a (fantastic) weekend in Vail with the girls, and while I feel a bit relaxed, I feel more puffy and icky than anything. Giant meals 3-4 times a day, no city hills to walk over, and flying aren't a terrific mix. So, as soon as Jamie dropped me off, we called in dinner to our favorite restaurant over the hill so I could get a walk in. A mile later and a delicious Vietnamese dinner from aux Delices ready I'm feeling much better!